14 Years, 2,350 Lives, Billions of Dollars & No End in Sight

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on the 14th anniversary of the Afghanistan War:

“Today marks the 14th anniversary of the Afghanistan War – our nation’s longest war – and sadly, there seems to be no end in sight. Despite a war-weary public, calls continue to keep more U.S. troops in Afghanistan for many more years.

This war has already cost our nation too much. It has sacrificed the lives of 2,350 of our brave servicemen and women, including six in the first seven days of this month. Additionally, this war has taken the lives of thousands of Afghans and servicemen and women from our coalition and NATO partners.

Similarly, this war’s price tag, totaling more than $715 billion, continues to undermine our national security and prevents investments in important domestic priorities. In fact, every hour this war costs taxpayers $4 million.

In 2001, I opposed the authorization for this war because it empowered any President to wage endless war without the Congressional oversight mandated by the Constitution. Fourteen years into this war, this endless war continues and Congress continues to abdicate its Constitutional responsibility.

Since then, I have been working with my colleagues from both parties to pass H.R. 1303, which would repeal the limitless Authorization for Military Force (AUMF).

It is past time to end this costly and bloody war and restore Congress’s constitutional duty to debate matters of war and peace.”

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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.